02/04/2013

Maximize Your Hiring Potential – Resume Enhancement

Older
workers come to the table with experience, maturity and dedication… But older
workers who do wind up unemployed often struggle to recover.

In a new year, many companies begin to re-evaluate their staffing
needs. This might mean companies will increase their hiring initiatives, or
they could decide to shed jobs. Either possibility means having an updated
resume ready may pay dividends. Even if nothing changes for you, it wouldn’t
hurt to have a spruced up resume.

For older individuals, reaching retirement means managing a budget
with savings, social security, and part-time income. Having a polished resume
is extremely important, as an analysis of the
most recent job data by the AARP Public Policy Institute shows. Consider
this: unemployment for older job seekers is now
56 weeks on average, compared with 37 weeks for younger workers. In light of
this trend, it is crucial for older workers to revise their resumes to catch
the eye of potential employers.

As reported in The Wall Street Journal, a
new program known as the American Association of Community Colleges’ Plus 50
Initiative is helping seniors do just that. The Plus 50
Initiative recognizes the experiences, skills, and
leadership that the baby boomer generation possesses. Given the possibility of
unemployment facing many older workers, the Plus 50 Initiative seeks to harness
the experience of an older generation and use it to teach new skills to an
already successful generation.

Many times, the only thing standing between a
senior and a job is a lack of technical knowledge and computer experience.
Taking a short class on computer software is one of the best ways for older job
seekers to brush up on these skills, enhance their resumes, and show employers
that they are up to date with technology.

Consider taking some time to reevaluate how you
can best market yourself in an ever-changing economy and job market.